River Road Scenic Byway

A bench alongside the Eagle Run Trail waits for skiers in need of a rest.

At Westgate Welcome Center, travelers will view Loud Pond of the Au Sable River from two observation decks.

Several hundred feet of elevated boardwalk meander through the Iargo Springs Interpretive Site and lead to small platforms overlooking the river. Large pines, maple, hemlock, and cedar give the impression of walking through an ancient forest.

This stairway at Iargo Springs is 304 steps down to the spring area. Large white and red pine, hemlock, and maple line the staircase, providing shade on hot summer days.

Horseshoe Island nestles in blue waters against an autumn backdrop.

The waters of the Cooke Dam lap up against the artificial shores.

Lumberman's Monument is a 14 foot bronze and granite statue that pays tribute to the early lumbermen who played a significant role in the development of Michigan.

A sign on top of Cooke Dam signals to canoers that there is a place to dock here.

This view of Loud Pond and the Au Sable River is from the small observation deck at Westgate Welcome Center. The observation deck is tucked among large pines, allowing an eagle's eye view of the water below.

Large information boards provide route maps, rules and regulations, and information for riders at the River Road off-highway vehicle (OHV) trailhead.

A wanigan, the floating cook shacks that followed the river drivers as they floated logs to the sawmills, sits at the bottom of the 300 step stairway at Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center.

The rhythmic current of the Au Sable River flows past thickly clustered trees that have become red and gold in fall's cool air.

A Corsair Trail volunteer enjoys the view from the Highbanks Trail during a pause in her cross country ski run.

A skier pauses during a cross country skiing run on the Highbanks Trail.

A group of skiers enjoys a midnight bonfire on the Corsair Trail System.

Skiers gather at the Wright Lake Trailhead for a day of cross country skiing on the Corsair Trail System.

A freshly groomed trail on the Corsair Trail System glitters in the sunset.

The National Forest sign welcomes visitors into the fall dappled forest along Highway 72.

The shore leads effortlessly to the bright blue lapping waters of the Loud Dam Pond. This is a fishing access site.

Dark green pines huddle around a sign on Monument Road, welcoming visitors to the Huron National Forest.

Fall colors overhang the log-built Rollways Picnic Shelter. The cabin sits near Loud Pond of the Au Sable River.

Fishermen lean on the railings to try to catch a steelhead fish at the Foote Hydroelectric Dam.

The red brick of the Cooke Hydroelectric Dam powerhouse contrasts brightly with surrounding snow and ice.

Canoeists float along the pristine waters of the Au Sable River.

Skiiers enjoy a day on the Corsair Trail System.

A lone set of ski tracks marks the snow between tall trees along the Highbanks Trail.

The pale stone of Canoers Memorial is edged by trees in fall color.

Visitors enjoy an autumn walk along the Dune Trail at Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center. This short trail is hard surfaced and flat, ending at the dune area observation deck.

Reflected as if it were in a pool of glass, this forest is on fire with color.

The River Queen, the only paddlewheel river boat operating in northern Michigan, take off from the docks.

This signboard located at Eastgate Welcome Center contains orientation maps and other information to help travelers with their destination plans.

The blue of the Au Sable River is made brighter by surrounding autumn foliage in this view from the east overlook at Westgate Welcome Center. The viewing platforms are fully accessible and located close to parking.

Bright, bold signs welcome visitors to River Road Scenic Byway and the Huron-Manistee National Forests. The unique signing along River Road lets travelers know they are entering a special area within the forest.

A scenic byway assurance marker is attached below the larger M-65 and River Road Junction sign.

This public fishing pier on Cooke Pond provides an easily accessible area to anyone wishing to dangle a hook in the water. It's also an inviting place to sit and enjoy the water or view the operation of Cooke Dam.

The Foote Pond Overlook offers a broad view of the Au Sable River Valley landscape. The overlook is an excellent location for taking fall color photographs or watching for bald eagles soaring over the water.

The many panels of an orientation kiosk offer helpful information at the Westgate Welcome Center. The Westgate and Eastgate Welcome Centers have large maps showing the Byway route, features, trails, and visitor facilities. Interpretive panels tell about historical events and natural features of the Au Sable River Valley.

Immediately evident from the highway, the unique design of the Canoers Memorial Entrance Sign lets travelers know this is a Byway attraction.

This fishing area at Whirlpool River Access is one of three located along River Road. These fishing piers offer easy access to the water for those travelers that don't want to negotiate steep banks or don't have a boat to get out onto the water.

These interpretive signs at Iargo Springs tell of the area's cultural and natural history. A pictorial display of the spring area gives those unable to go down the stairway an opportunity to share the experience through photographs.

The view from the Highbanks Sand Dune at Lumberman's Monument is legendary. Close to 200 feet above the Au Sable River, this expansive view is spellbinding to visitors of all ages.

The park is still quiet in this early spring photo, but as the only swimming beach along River Road, the spot will explode with activity come summer.

Visitors climb through a simulated log jam at Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center. This is one of several exhibits that tell the lumberjacks' stories.

Low-level log dams create small waterfalls on two of the springs.Viewing decks offer quiet areas to reflect and enjoy the gurgling streams that flow year-round.

This cross has stood on the banks of Cooke Pond for several decades. Tucked among the trees, it marks the grave location of a lumberjack that lost his life while floating logs to Lake Huron.

The Kiwanis Monument was constructed by the Kiwanis Clubs of Michigan, in recognition of their contribution to the reforestation efforts on the national forest. Each club is recognized with its own marker on the Monument.

A great blue heron stands in one of the flooded ponds at Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area.

Visitors try their hand at using a cross-cut saw. Cut your own lumberjack cookie using a cross-cut saw in just one of many hands-on opportunities at Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center.

Trees line a wintry stretch of M-65. Byway travelers will experience a working national forest including tree harvesting, prescribed burning, wildfire control, and wildlife habitat improvement.

Michael Deren entertains the audience while telling the stories of the Michigan lumberjack. Interpretive programs are offered at Lumberman's Monument throughout the summer.

Old Orchard Campground sits along the shoreline of Foote Pond. The campsites are well shaded with plenty of room for large trailers and RVs. This campground does get busy on summer weekends and will fill up on holiday weekends.

Visitors browse the small gift shop inside Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center, which features many books about the area's history, native plant and animal species, and travel guides. Postcards, T-shirts, and other souvenirs can be found here, as well.

These panels at Foote Pond Overlook highlight the Bald Eagle, its history along the river, identification tips, and how the National Forest protects this magnificent bird.

Signs such as this one can be found at each entrance to the River Road Scenic Byway and let travelers know to tune their radios to 1610 for up-to-date information about Byway activities, recreation, and where to go for more information.

A lovely example of Bottle Gentian grows along the Au Sable River.

A byway enthusiast watches for birds at Iargo Springs.

Shadows dapple the dirt road leading to the unimproved boat launch below Cooke Dam.

When visiting the Foote Dam, visitors can take a leisurely stroll along this path by the AuSable River.

A weathered hydroelectric building associated with Foote Dam operations stands in the distance. The dam is on the AuSable River on the River Road Scenic Byway.

The water path of the AuSable River leads effortlessly up to Loud Dam.

A fenced walkway leads the visitor through the pined woods.